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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What are the signs and symptoms of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease?

    Related Topics
    Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Neurology
    • 1 answer
    • CJD Support Group Network
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  • CJD Support Group Network

    The CJD Support Group Network (CJDSGN) offers support, information and assistance to all Australians affected by Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) or other prion diseases. The CJDSGN … View Profile

    Symptoms that develop and progression of the disease will vary from patient to patient but usually will include
    :• Balance and coordination problems
    • Headaches
    • Challenging behaviour and sometimes aggression
    • Visual disturbance
    • Incontinence
    • Inability to communicate
    • Cortical blindness
    • Weakness
    •Abnormal movements
    • Confusion and memory lapse
    • Increased mobility problems
    • Difficulty swallowing and excess salivation
    • Inability to recognise people
    • Coma and death

    Symtpoms will also vary in some inherited forms of CJD but for the majority of cases of CJD, ie sporadic CJD and familial CJD some or most of the above will occur.
    The initial symptoms will also vary depending on what part of the brain is affected first. Visual disturbance, speech problems, confusion or depression are some of the frequently reported first signs and some families report having noticed apathy or a change in behaviour for a year or even two years before the actual onset of symptoms.
    The average survival time from the start of symptoms to death is 4 to 6 months although this can vary greatly from just a few weeks to 2 years or more in very rare cases.

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